Weekly Summary
Release Date: October 11, 2004
Release Number: 1552-019
» More Information on Puerto Rico Tropical Storm Jeanne and Resulting Landslides and Mudslides
- As of today, over 70,500 residents of the 57 municipalities in the declared disaster area have applied for disaster assistance, by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) toll free teleregistration line, 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585).
The teleregistration lines are available daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, until further notice. If possible, try calling in the evening after 6:00 p.m. or on weekends when call volume often is lighter. Individuals can also find valuable recovery information on FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov. Callers are urged to have the following information at hand at the moment of the call:
A phone number in case we need to call you back
Address of the damaged property
Social Security number
Brief description of damages
Current mailing address, as it appears on the electricity or water bill
Insurance information (if you have insurance)
- The municipalities included in the declared disaster area are: Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Añasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamón, Caguas, Camuy, Canóvanas, Carolina, Cataño, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerío, Corozal, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guayama, Hatillo, Humacao, Isabela, Juana Díaz, Juncos, Lares, Las Piedras, Loíza, Manatí, Morovis, Maunabo, Moca, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Quebradillas, Rincón, Río Grande, Salinas, San Lorenzo, San Sebastián, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, and Yabucoa.
- To date, $81,669,275 have been approved in federal disaster assistance to eligible applicants in the 57 declared municipalities. The assistance totals include grants for basic needs, such as essential repairs, alternate housing and other disaster-related needs not met by insurance or other assistance programs.
- Six Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are in operation at fixed sites.
Aguada: Centro de Bellas Artes, Café TeatroPaz Street, corner with Manuel Ruíz (in front of Plaza Cristóbal Colón)
Canóvanas: Centro Comunitario Usos Múltiples Luis Muñoz Rivera Street (corner with Betances St.)
Fajardo: Municipal Legislature Room, Municipal Hall (2nd Floor)Dr. López Street (corner with Muñoz Rivera St.)
Santa Isabel: Centro de Usos Múltiples Francisco Robledo Monseñor Ferrer Avenue (near Urb. Santiago Apóstol- in front of Parque Infantil Melween Cedeño)
Toa Baja: Cancha Antonio R. Barceló Coliseo Deportivo, Sabana Seca Avenue, Route 867 (in front of Oficina de Gobierno Anacleto Ortíz)
Vieques: Centro Usos Múltiples Muñoz Rivera Street (in front of the public square)
Through the DRCs, the applicants can receive information related to the application process and about other available disaster aid programs.
A number of short-term Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers are also visiting other municipalities. Their locations and dates will be announced to those specific municipalities, as they get approved and set up operations.
- At the DRCs people can obtain the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application forms, receive help to complete the loan application, and talk with representatives from FEMA and other commonwealth and federal agencies.
- It is extremely important for applicants who have received SBA loan packets to fill them out thoroughly and return them to the SBA as soon as possible. If the loan forms are not returned, the applicant will not be eligible for additional federal disaster grants.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 12-Oct-2004 10:52:18